All in the Family

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Dayphoto

The weather is holding (rain and snow suppose to blow in tonight) so Terry and Misty got busy on the plowed ground.

This is our roller harrow…the new ones are way bigger….HUGE…but this one works for us

You can see the difference between the plowed (chunky) ground and what the ground looks like after the roller harrow goes through

This is how the next generation gets the farming bug….ride a round or two with Momma and then you have to get off and go to town with Grandpa

Of course, going to town with Grandpa means just as much fun (there are toys at the John Deere store!!)

Linda

Spring Work Has Begun

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Dayphoto

The first thing (after moving the cows off ) is to start disking

The corn stalks and leaves must be shredded

Terry disks both ways

After that comes plowing

Terry only plows the corn fields. The bean field is ripped and the alfalfa is marked out

The soil is just perfect right now. It has just the right amount of moisture so we actually have loam. Our soil (in this area) has some clay mixed into it, so getting the ground worked up when it is in the loam stage is really nice.

It doesn’t always happen that way.

Misty is helping farm this year. Although, I didn’t get her in the tractor she has been there. She spells Terry giving him a break. She wants to take over the farm when we decide the work load is just too much.

But back to the loam — Once the soil is plowed it is good to have freezing temperatures at night to help finish drying out the dirt. Then (which is happening as I write this) Terry (and/or Misty) will go back in with the roller flatting out the plowed clods.

What we do NOT want to happen right now is for it to either rain or snow. Plowed ground is like a sponge. If it collects too much water then the farmer has to wait for it to dry out and because of the clay we then get clods. Not good. Those nasty lumps of soil stay that way for the rest of the season.

So far the weather is holding, the equipment is staying together, and having more people doing the physical work makes the work load a lot lighter.

Linda

The Circle of Life

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Dayphoto

Our personal cows have started having their babies. We raise Angus cattle, which are always black. The cows are Angus and the Bull is Angus.

Our second baby of the spring arrived in fine condition. The Mom headed into the corral and gave birth in the open barn. We found the happy pair just as the mom started cleaning up the baby.

We were not so lucky with the first calf.

She lost her baby to the coyotes. I won’t go into the details, but just know it wasn’t pretty. But it did happen.

And, yes we can tell. And yes, it was Coyotes, and no we did not make that up. And no, feeding the Coyotes will not keep the Coyotes from attacking or killing livestock. In fact, it might make things worse. (If you feed them….they will come.)

Coyotes (Canis latrans —means ‘barking dog”) are true omnivores and eat almost anything available. Just born calves are very sweet and tender, as you might imagine.

Coyotes eat mice, rabbits, squirrels, berries, birds, frogs and carrion. Given a chance coyotes take lambs, calves, kids, and household pets like cats and dogs. (Go here to see the Coyote attack on this blog friends little dog.)

We are very diligent in monitoring our herd and the herd of the rancher who rents winter pasture from us. The rancher is very diligent also, because we know. We all know.

But sometimes…. bad things happen.

This cow will have a large bag for some time, until the milk stops flowing. Gradually she will dry-up. For now she is very miserable and extremely alert. She looks for her calf, but we buried the last of it (7′ deep) which took the site away and the smell.

Linda

Not One but Two Traffic Jams

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Dayphoto

The ranchers in the area are all on the move. Farming is started so the winter pasture for the cattle is now over.

Yesterday one group of cows coming from ‘down the hill’ met up with

Another group ‘coming down the road’ at the middle of the road. The dogs were all action.

The one turning the corner went first, then the other going on by second.

Out on the desert

The sheepherders were moving the sheep from one side of the road

To the next.

Through it all….

The dogs were the stars of the day.

Linda

The Calf Babysitter

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Dayphoto

I’m always surprised at the people who think cows are stupid (or pigs, or sheep, or chickens, or horses, or heck any animal).

They really aren’t. They have their pecking order—there is always a ‘Boss’ cow in every herd. This is the cow that makes up the rules, decides if they are going to walk this way or that, won’t let some other cows get to head up to be ‘too bossy’. You know the one; we all work with someone just like that (or wants to be.)

And there is always ….a babysitter. The babysitter isn’t ALWAYS the same cow, they seem to take turns. Some are really good babysitters….never get all stressed out if the calves jump and play, moo gently to them to stay close by, and in general treat all the calves just wonderfully.

Of course there are those who are NOT very good babysitters…they hang by the ‘kids’ for a short time, then gradually graze off, munching along and not keeping a very good eye on the kids. I’ve seen the Boss cow come over and head butt a couple of these ‘not very interested’ babysitters until they go back to the calves.

This babysitter is a good one. She is watching the dogs, not sure if one of them is going to rush the calves. If they do she will run head-long into them trying to scare them off (works every time for Boomer—he must have been a city/town dog in his former life–he has a V.E.R.Y. healthy FEAR of Momma cows after his FIRST big rush at him.)

—Fuzzy must have been a cow dog when we got him. He is NOT afraid, has complete command of the situation, and never wanders into an area he shouldn’t be.

If the danger gets too close the babysitter will kick and try to stomp to death whatever the danger is. Sometimes other (protective cows will come help) and they will also stomp and kick the danger to death –or until it runs off.

—and just like people there are those cows who stay away from all activity that looks like work.—

So like I say….cows are not dumb. Just people.

Linda

Consignment Sale

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Dayphoto

In spite of the wind, the rain, and the spitting snow (mostly a very cold wind) the Consignment Sale of the season was well attended. Although, I didn’t go down on either Saturday or Sunday I did go with Terry on Monday to pick up our ‘new to us’

8-bale hay stacker. Now that we are both way over 60 those hay bales have been getting heavier and heavier and heavier. Terry bought this little number (they are very hard to fid) for a good price.

Needless to say we are both really excited about it.

Linda

Sunday Stills—-The Place you Feel Peaceful

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Dayphoto

In the canyons

On the land

At the farm

Outside.

For more Sunday Stills go here.

Linda

On the Road Again

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Dayphoto

Finally we are making it.

The little beagle (Boomer) just hated riding in the back of the pickup. I don’t know if he was afraid we would dump him off somewhere or if he would fall out.

Its taken lots of work….he wanted to ride up front. But not enough room with Terry, I, and two dogs. Since this is the truck that goes to the rivers and up to check on things like head gates and other farm related activity Boomer had to learn to go.

Or stay home.

Staying home was N.O.T. F.U.N. He was howling the whole time until we got back.

So….If Fuzzy will get in first then Boomer will get in.

If Fuzzy will let Boomer look out the SAME side of the truck AT the SAME time, then Boomer got so he didn’t just lie down in the truck and try to hide his eyes.

Gradually we’ve made it. Fuzzy (who hates to have his photo taken) showed Boomer (who wants to be ANYWHERE there is a camera) that the back of the truck is cool. There are neat things to see, fun smells to smell and no one is going to dump you out because no one is dumping out Fuzzy.

—When we got Fuzzy we had trouble getting Fuzzy to ride in the car—but that is another story for another time.

After we got Boomer to ride…we had to teach him to STAY! (Just because the truck STOPS it doesn’t mean you can jump out!) After several times of him really listening and not panicking I can say I think we’ve made it.

Boomer is now moving into being a good farm dog. I’m sure we will have to work with him as we do more and more farming activities, but he is smart so I’m sure we will make it.

(Cows were terrifying also, but he doesn’t chase them and has stopped barking at them when they come close to the yard).

Linda

Last of Last Year’s Corn

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Dayphoto

We had to store several ton of last year’s corn,

the dairy we sell to didn’t want it until the first of March this year.

But as of three o’clock today (MST) we are through. Finished! Done with the 2010 corn harvest.

The last of the corn has to be scooped into the auger…the worst part of a grain bin.

2010 is now over!

The big farmers, and the onion guys, have all started working the ground this week. Terry will start disking and plowing Monday the 7th, provided the weather holds

The 2011 farming season has begun!

Linda